Get into Cybersecurity with a Security Intelligence Background

If you work in security intelligence, you are well on your way to having the skills needed in cybersecurity. While they both aim to identify, monitor and counter cyber threats, security intelligence takes a broader perspective and includes physical and cybersecurity whereas cybersecurity analytics homes in on protecting critical IT infrastructure. Security intelligence roles are most prevalent in government and enterprise, where cybersecurity roles can be found in any number of organizations and industries, opening up more job opportunities. People looking to switch from security intelligence to cybersecurity may need additional training or IT certifications to round out their skillset.

If you work in security intelligence – or have a security intelligence background but are struggling to find work – take a look at cybersecurity. This booming field won’t be changing anytime soon, and CyberSeek outlines career paths that can set you on the road to success. Keep reading to see what a career path in cybersecurity might look like for someone with security intelligence skills.

Pathway to Success

You can see from the image below that there are a variety of entry-, mid- and advanced-level cybersecurity roles that are easily transitioned from other feeder roles. A career in cybersecurity offers endless possibilities and paths that you can take. You have control over where you go next! We will be going into detail on one role from each career level, and remember – this is just one of the many paths you can venture on in cybersecurity. You can head over to CyberSeek’s Career Pathway and explore other paths and choose your own adventure!

Learn About the Other CyberSeek Pathways and Feeder Roles

Entry-level: Cybersecurity Specialist/Technician

Cybersecurity specialist is a great starting point for a cybersecurity career. They guard an organization’s networks to help protect them from cyberattacks, and if an attack does occur, cybersecurity specialists fight it.They need to be creative and adaptable to ever-changing attack techniques. If you’re passionate about protecting networks and fighting off threats, a career as a cybersecurity specialist could be a great fit for you! Check out these quick facts about cybersecurity specialists:

Average Salary for Cybersecurity Specialists

$75,000

Total Number of Job Openings for Cybersecurity Specialists in the United States

Top Certifications Requested for Cybersecurity Specialists

Top Skills Requested for Cybersecurity Specialists

Information security

Information systems

Information assurance

Network security

Vulnerability assessment

Mid-Level: Penetration Tester

A penetration tester, sometimes known as an ethical hacker, thinks like a malicious attacker, but uses their skills for good to protect an organization’s networks. Have you ever heard the phrase, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em? This perfectly describes a penetration tester – they test their networks by staging attacks to ensure they are as strong as possible. A career as a penetration tester can be very exciting – how often does one get to act like a bad guy at work and get paid for it? Check out what it has to offer and what it takes to get started:

Average Salary for Penetration Testers

$102,000

Total Number of Job Openings for Penetration Testersin the United States

Top Certifications Requested for Penetration Testers

Top Skills Requested for Penetration Testers

Information security

Penetration testing

Linux

Vulnerability assessment

Python

Advanced-Level: Cybersecurity Engineer

As you work your way up in cybersecurity, you can aspire to become a cybersecurity engineer. Cybersecurity engineers build and maintain a system that’s safe against cyberattacks. They focus on fixing and protecting these systems and stay up to date on new technology so they can keep their system secure. Cybersecurity engineers will work closely with and manage roles like the cybersecurity specialists and penetration testers we touched on earlier!

Average Salary for Cybersecurity Engineers

$108,000

Total Number of Job Openings for Cybersecurity Engineers in the United States

Top Certifications Requested for Cybersecurity Engineers

Top Skills Requested for Cybersecurity Engineers

Information security

Network security

Linux

Information systems

Python

In Conclusion

If you work in in security intelligence and want to switch to cybersecurity , the pathway of cybersecurity specialist to penetration tester to cybersecurity engineer is just one of many you can take. A career in cybersecurity provides many possibilities, and you have the choice to do what will make you happiest and most fulfilled. Your experience in security intelligence has prepared you for a successful cybersecurity career – be confident in your established skills, develop additional skills where you may be lacking and earn a few applicable certifications, and you’re on your way to a thriving career in cybersecurity.

8 Comments

Akujinwa Ifeanyi Oscar

Tee

Wow... CASP isn’t in here at all. Does this mean it’s not worth getting? Skip CASP, get CISSP?

Marc Harter

Friday, December 28, 2018

Thanks again for the great information. I am working on my Security+!

Wednesday, January 2, 2019

Hi, Tee! Thanks for your question. The listed certifications are those mentioned in job postings. But just because a certification is not outright listed in job postings does not mean it isn't valuable. CASP is highly regarded in jobs that support the U.S. government and military but is just breaking into the private sector. We compared CASP to CISSP and will be doing more articles about how the skills covered by CASP relate to advanced cybersecurity roles in all industries. Check this article out, and stay tuned for more: https://certification.comptia.org/it-career-news/post/view/2018/10/17/casp-vs-cissp

Katerina Andreou

Friday, January 18, 2019

Dear Sir/Madame,
To follow CompTIA Security+ do I need to have passed the CompTIA Network+?
Regards,
Katerina

Friday, January 18, 2019

Hi, Katerina! Thanks for your question. You do not need CompTIA Network+ before you take CompTIA Security+, but the certifications build upon each other, so either having CompTIA Network+ or equivalent knowledge and experience will set you up for success with CompTIA Security+. You can download the exam objectives for both exams to see what's covered and determine how much you might need to prepare before getting certified. Good luck! https://certification.comptia.org/training/exam-objectives

Leead

Friday, January 18, 2019

It's very hard to find entry level jobs in information security.
They all want a minimum of 2 WORKING years of experience, it seems like the certs don't matter to them that much.
Any advice on finding the first role?

Friday, January 18, 2019

Hi, Leead! Thanks for your question. Many cybersecurity professionals gain hands-on experience in other IT roles before moving into cybersecurity. For example, help desk and technical support positions have increasingly more cybersecurity responsibilities. Getting a job takes a combination of credentials (like certifications or degrees), hands-on experience and a bit of luck. Don't get discouraged - broaden your search for IT jobs that may not necessarily specialize in cybersecurity, but include cybersecurity tasks so you can get that experience and then move into a more specialized role. Remember, your IT career is a marathon, not a sprint. Good luck!